Battle of the branches

[Widonja]

I have started this topic for all of us to post our opinions on different branches of a career and which one is better. Maybe this will get Sticky-ed if we work hard enough!      
      
Let's start.    
    
#1: The Music Career    
    

The Sims 3's music career track jobs can be applied for at the theater in town. The music track has two branches that are chosen after promotion level 5. Sims can choose between rock and symphonic career branches. Both can hold autograph sessions at high job level to make extra money on the side. Hold these session during the day for maximum effect.

 
    
[worth 2 points]View of traits (urgency of the trait on a scale from 1-5, 1 being almost nothing, 5 being required)    
    
Rock Traits    
Virtuoso (4/5)    
Artistic (3)    
Schmoozer/Charismatic/Friendly (at least one of the first two)    
2 Wildcard traits    
    
Symphonic Traits    
Virtuoso (4/5)    
Genius (4)  
Schmoozer/Charismatic/Friendly (even more important!)  
Artistic (2/3)  
Wildcard  
  
Winner - Rock career for having more Wildcard traits 2:0  
  
[worth 3 points]Skill/Requirements Availability  
The Guitar skill isn't available until Teen age, but you can max the Xylophone as a toddler and have level 3 when you learn the skill. Relationships with co-workers are related only to how much free time and career time are you willing to sacrifice for them - hang out with them. Then we have the 2 requirements that differ (X factor skill) - Logic Skill and performances. Here - the logic skill wins big time, as it can be easily mastered by a child (blocks at toddler) , while the performances first appear at the level 6 rock branch.

Winner is Symphonic for getting the X Factor Skill before the career 2:3

[worth 1 point]Sociality
this depends on your gameplay style. If you are planing on having other household Sims do regular jobs, this whole career track is bad. Looking at that, I'd have to say Rock Branch, as the Sim is home until 6-9 PM, works at night and then sleeps while your Sims are having day jobs/school. It also allows more free time at 8-10. 10 is totally free will as it only depends on concerts, but 8 and 9 work on less days than the symphonic. On the other hand, If you are going to have Sims work from home, Symphonic 6-9 is OK too... Level 10 symphonic is really easy as you only work 3 hours per day and that's when the others are sleeping.

Winner is Rock Branch for allowing more free (day) time. 3:3

[worth 2]Earnings
If you are going for Hard Core earnings - Rock Branch is the way to go, however, if you want to make the most of your little time at work, you should choose the Symphonic branch!
Tie - the style of gameplay decides! 5:5

CONCLUSION:
If you are playing a starter/Pre-made etc. Sim, you should Choose Rock Star, Otherwise, Symphonic is better!

Feel free to show us your own thinking on this or any other branched career... I'll be doing more - later.

[Sportsfan]

I'm not going to be quite as thought out as you, but I think that for the law enforcement career the forensics branch is better because while maxing the painting skill you can make some money. Also, toddlers can't learn the athletic skill but they can learn the painting skill.

[TheChronicR]

Sportsfan, that is exactly correct.

When I'm doing the Criminal career, and especially if it's an Immortal Dynasty/DecaDynasty, I'm doing the Thief branch. Mostly because it requires one less skill (Athletic vs. Athletic and Logic), and also grants a cool-looking fox statue when your Sim reaches the top. I do like the red glow of the Evil branch, but it seems like too much work for something temporary (I think it goes away once you quit or retire).

[Hosfac]

@Sportsfan:  On the other side of the coin, the Special Agent branch tends to make more money per hour and requires 1 hour less investment in time spent at the job (which gives you an extra hour to get those pesky reports done).  That branch also gives many more opportunities that will result in cash bonuses and permanent raises than the Forensic Branch will.  It also has 1 fewer necessary traits to make training for the job easier, since painting isn't required.

@Chronic:  That statue gives the person who received it a nice 8 hour moodlet when you view at it.  And while I've never retired/quit an Emperor of Evil, I am under the impression that the red glow stays with them at least until Grimmy pays them a visit.  I could be wrong on that, though.

[TheChronicR]

@Chronic:  That statue gives the person who received it a nice 8 hour moodlet when you view at it.  And while I've never retired/quit an Emperor of Evil, I am under the impression that the red glow stays with them at least until Grimmy pays them a visit.  I could be wrong on that, though.

Yeah, that's a huge bonus too. I think we should ask Rica [Ricalynn] because her Dynasty founder was an Emperor of Evil. I'll ask that in her Dynasty thread next time she updates and report it here.

[CarlosLordofTacos]

Does the statue moodlet only work for the sim who, um, 'earned' it?

[CarlosLordofTacos]

Also, isn`t this on the wrong board?

[TheChronicR]

Also, isn`t this on the wrong board?

Yeah, maybe.

Does the statue moodlet only work for the sim who, um, 'earned' it?

I believe you are correct. You can also get the moodlet from Time Machine and/or underground adventures through miner holes.

[CarlosLordofTacos]

So, the statue does not have the effect for other household members, or if put on a community lot, the general public?

[TheChronicR]

So, the statue does not have the effect for other household members, or if put on a community lot, the general public?

I haven't gone that far, but I believe the answer is no.

[Widonja]

Wich is better for a rockstar - Ambitious or Star Quality?

[TheChronicR]

Wich is better for a rockstar - Ambitious or Star Quality?

I give my vote for the first. It will help you climb the performance ladder faster, as well as gives a 15% bonus to any wish, plus LTW. As far as I know, Star Quality only raises the rate you gain celebrity status, and provides more gifts in the family inventory for being a celebrity.

[Widonja]

Doesn't it help to befriend celebs too? As the Rock Stars are usually celebs... anyway, I'll have the schmoozer!

What the heck? Just noticed you work less as a thief, earn more, have a better price and don't need logic... any sense?

[Ricalynn]

Yeah, that's a huge bonus too. I think we should ask Rica [Ricalynn] because her Dynasty founder was an Emperor of Evil. I'll ask that in her Dynasty thread next time she updates and report it here.

Sorry guys.  Unfortunately as Artie found out, the moment you retire from being the Emperor - the glowdrops you like a sack of bricks.  It's been several Sim weeks since he retired in my game and he hasn't glowed once since his retirement.  I thought I remembered the EoE keeping the glow way back when but there is a good possibility that one of the patches broke it.

[Sportsfan]

@Sportsfan:  On the other side of the coin, the Special Agent branch tends to make more money per hour and requires 1 hour less investment in time spent at the job (which gives you an extra hour to get those pesky reports done).  That branch also gives many more opportunities that will result in cash bonuses and permanent raises than the Forensic Branch will.  It also has 1 fewer necessary traits to make training for the job easier, since painting isn't required.

Actually, they have the same number of necessary traits because the forensics branch doesn't require athletics.